Changes in the Nigerian theatre with special attention to four post-Soyinkan playwrights

Abstract

The thesis examines the main conventions governing traditional Nigerian entertainment and the development of these conventions under influences from Western drama. Wole Soyinka's development of these conventions is considered along with his influence on present day play-wrights. The main section of the thesis is concerned with the further evolution of Nigerian theatrical conventions by four playwrights; Zulu Soiola, Wale Ogunyemi, Femi Osofisan and Bode Sowande. The discussion is presented in three parts. In the first chapter, there is a recapitulation and evaluation of the conventions which emerged from traditional Nigerian entertainment by the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The second section consists of two chapters: the first is concerned with the period when there was strong western influence on modern Nigerian drama through the University College at Ibadan, the chapter on Wole Soyinka that follows is concerned with the further evolution of theatrical convention in his drama, the third and major section of the thesis examines the present day development of Nigerian theatrical convention through an analysis of the techniques of the four playwrights; Zulu Sofola, Wale Ogunyemi, Femi Osofisan and Bode Sowande. The material in the thesis includes accounts of interviews with Soyinka, and the four playwrights. It is hoped that this material which has not previously been collected will prove valuable to students of modern Nigerian drama. The aim of the thesis is to provide knowledge, analyse conventions and techniques and stimulate interest in Nigerian drama, particularly, that developed after Soyinka1s successes in the sixties.